WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme and how to deal with it.

“The meeting will be an opportunity for the President to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel, and to discuss a range of strategic issues of mutual concern,” the White House said on Sunday.

Ahead of the meeting, Obama yesterday reiterated his commitment to Israeli security.

“Whenever an effort is made to de-legitimize the state of Israel, my administration has opposed them. So there should not be a shred of doubt by now: when the chips are down, I have Israel’s back,” Obama said in his address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).